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THE POET OF PINEY WOODS

Name: THE POET OF PINEY WOODS
Author: Bob Raczka
ISBN: 978-1-951836-09-2

by Bob Raczka ; illustrated by Kristen Howdeshell & Kevin Howdeshell ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 13, 2021

Quietly well done.

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A wolf wordsmith subverts expectations.

In a colorful, wood-block–printed forest, a wolf sneaks up behind an assortment of animals. A baseball-capped bear cub flees at the sound of a twig snapping. As a bow-tied frog sits on a log, “Wolf smiles. Teeth flash. / Frog sees Wolf. Splash!” But despite appearances, this doesn’t turn out to be a story of the food chain. Because now it’s “Sundown. Wolf’s lair. / Dinner? Sliced pears. / Peaceful. Poem time. / Wolf thinks, inks rhymes.” In tight, clipped, creatively rhymed and metered lines, this poem of a story shows that Wolf, a smoking jacket–clad vegetarian, just wants to share his verse with his forestmates. He pins his words to a tree, each a brief collection of rhyming words about the animal friends he was sneaking up on in the first part of the story. The animals gather around in appreciation, wondering who the mystery poet is, but when the wolf reveals himself as the author, the animals flee. A helpful blue jay convinces them to come back after Wolf pleads for understanding. Predictable for adults but no doubt suspenseful for children, the plot is enhanced by texturally rich illustrations and satisfying-to-read rhymes, making this an ideal read-aloud for inquisitive, word-loving young children. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.5-by-21-inch double-page spreads viewed at 18% of actual size.)

Quietly well done. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: April 13, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-951836-09-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Cameron + Company

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S POETRY

- BOOK REVIEW
THE POWER OF SNOW
by Bob Raczka ; illustrated by Bryony Clarkson

- BOOK REVIEW
YOU ARE A STORY
by Bob Raczka ; illustrated by Kristen Howdeshell & Kevin Howdeshell

- BOOK REVIEW
BEWARE!
by Bob Raczka ; illustrated by Larry Day

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IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

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Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 31, 2026

ISBN: 9781454999621

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

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HEDGEHOGS DON'T WEAR UNDERWEAR

by Marissa Valdez ; illustrated by Marissa Valdez ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2025

Sure to have little ones giggling.

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Jacques is a hedgehog with a big secret: “I wear real, bona fide underwear.”

Our narrator received a mysterious package one day; an illustration shows a pair of underwear tied to a balloon with a note “from the Universe” floating down into Jacques’ burrow. Hedgehogs don’t wear underwear, however. Will Jacques be shunned? Jacques worries but comes to a decision: “I have to wear them. When I do I feel special.” Determined, Jacques, who’s been invited to a party, makes a dramatic entrance, with undies in hand. Jacques’ declaration (“I WEAR UNDERWEAR”) is met with remarks of dismay, before another hedgehog opens up about similar fears and shows off a pair of cowboy boots. More hedgehogs introduce themselves with their own confessions. The story ends with Jacques unveiling a painting of the underwear in a gallery filled with hedgehogs wearing all sorts of attire. Though the book is simple in plot, characters, and setting, it wins in its balance of bathroom humor, dramatic storytelling, and celebrations of individual expression. French words are peppered throughout, adding to the fun without detracting from the story for those unfamiliar with the language. The cartoonish illustrations brim with fun; Valdez relies heavily on geometric shapes (triangle noses for the hedgehogs; huge circles for their eyes). Details such as speech bubbles and recurring turtle and snake characters contribute to the outlandish humor.

Sure to have little ones giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)